Himalayan Institute Hospital and medical city. A new model of health care and education.

one of the first accredited medical schools in India, integrating both modern and traditional medicine. Adjacent to the school is a 700-bed hospital, serving approximately 10 million people from the neighbouring towns and villages. A range of inpatient and outpatient ser vices, including a “combined therapy program” (CTP) forms a vital part of the institute. Ser vices include biofeedback, yoga, nutrition, counseling, breathing, relaxation, meditation, and selfawareness techniques. With its integration of different medical systems, especially with respect to such illnesses as hear t disease, hypertension, diabetes, and age-related disorders, the CTP has become the focus of current research at the institute. Specific programs are also being developed to study the various pharmacologic agents used in traditional medical systems, such as ayurveda (Indian science of medicine), to treat women’s illnesses, arthritis, and neurologic and chronic respiratory conditions. With the focus on physical, mental, and spiritual dimensions of health, this institute continues to attract international attention for its unique therapeutic and educational health care initiatives. Establishing the Rural Development Institute The most impressive aspect of the institute’s work is its rural outreach program that serves about 100 000 people living in the Garhwal region of northern India. People in these rural and remote mountainous areas have little or no access to medical care. Travel is difficult, and those in need of medical attention die before reaching a hospital. With initial funding from the Canadian International Development Agency, the Rural Development Institute (RDI) project was started in 1991 and today, through its 16 remote centres, serves approximately 300 villages with basic health care ser vices, education, and income-generation programs, all installed at the village level. The health care component of the RDI is provided by mobile medical clinics run by general practitioners, specialists, and paramedics. Basic health care ser vices and information about areas such as appropriate shelter, externally ventilated stoves, clean water, effective sanitation, child care, immunization, and prenatal care are emphasized. Ongoing projects on women and child health, health fairs, school health, and water and environmental sanitation are described below.